Month: June 2024

“I enjoy taking people out of their existing mindset.”

Immerse yourself in the fascinating realms of sound, spirituality and music with the latest episode of AudiTalks. Oisin Lunny dives deep with Akshai Sarin, exploring his paths through music, disruptive marketing, spirituality, entrepreneurship and his pioneering work with brands.

Find out how Akshai’s ground-breaking creation SonoKinesis – which turns everyday objects into musical instruments through a fusion of art, music and technology – allowed him to transform an entire cruise ship into a playable sonic sculpture.

From being featured in GQ to performing on major stages and collaborating with top brands, Akshai’s openness has taken him to great heights.

Listen Here

Looking for more? Subscribe to the Audio Talk podcast on Apple, Spotify, Google, Podimo and Deezer.

About this podcast

This is Audio Talks. A podcast on all things audio presented to you by HARMAN, which includes JBL, Harman Kardon, and AKG. Initially started during the COVID-19 pandemic to bring people together through the power of music, Audio Talks finds itself in Season 9. Hosted by Oisin Lunny, professional music journalist, presenter, and broadcaster, Audio Talks brings together a constantly changing line-up of audio experts, music industry legends, and car audio innovators to explore music and audio from every angle.
​Tune in for Season 9 with brand new episodes being released every other Thursday.​​

All episodes of the eight previous​ seasons of Audio Talks are available on Podigee and all major podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and Deezer.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

For more than a dozen years, Kashif Kincaid ran his company as a mom-and-pop operation and bought supplies with his personal credit cards. He dreamed about growing the business, hiring more employees and expanding his offerings, but ran into a series of roadblocks when it came to getting financing.

“I was defeated for the longest time,” said Kincaid, who owns TechKnow 123, which provides IT services in Monticello, Arkansas.

“I couldn’t understand how I could go to my local banks and get loans for boats, four-wheelers or personal loans, but none of them would approve financing for my dream and my passion,” he said.

“I checked all the boxes of having good credit, owning material items, having paid personal loans off early and being able to show my company was a legit operation with years of revenue and profits, but multiple local banks said no,” Kincaid said. “For the longest time, it made me feel like we would just stay a mom-and-pop shop and that’s where my dream would end.”

Through a mutual friend, Kincaid met Ramone Davis, who manages the U.S. Bank branch in Little Rock. Davis introduced Kincaid to Cassandra Kidd, a U.S. Bank Business Access Advisor who specializes in helping underserved business owners.

“Kashif was the second person I talked to when I started the role,” Kidd said. “He’s been great to work with.”

Kidd helped Kincaid get approved for financing through the bank’s Business Diversity Lending Program, a special purpose credit program that provides credit and financing designed to help minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses grow and thrive.

Kincaid was able to establish a line of credit, buy three vehicles for his business and open business credit cards in the company’s name so he could stop using his personal cards.

“That gave me the freedom to grow,” he said. “I’ve gone from having one employee to having more than 10 full-time staff.”

Kincaid said he has expanded TechKnow 123 to provide additional services, including audio and video installation, smart home installation, website and graphic design, phone system installation and upgrades, custom audio/video systems, access control systems, security systems and more.

“We are a one-stop shop,” he said. “U.S. Bank helped us have the financial freedom to hire more people and provide professional development training, and the buying power to handle large projects.”

Heather Kesner, leader of the U.S. Bank branch and small business region that includes Arkansas, said the Business Access Advisor program is helping a number of underserved business owners like Kincaid.

“Inclusive growth is central to our long-term approach to help close the wealth gap,” Kesner said. “Our Business Diversity Lending program, Business Access Advisors and broader branch team are making a difference for business owners in central Arkansas. And by helping them grow their businesses, it enables them to create jobs and improve their communities in other ways.”

While Little Rock is 90 miles from Monticello, Kincaid said it’s worth the trip to work with U.S. Bank.

“Ramone and Cassandra helped me see outside the bubble I’d been in,” Kincaid said. “Being able to meet with people in upper positions who shared my culture helped me become more comfortable in asking questions I didn’t know the answers to. They took the time to educate me because they cared, and they provided me with the tools and education to do my part so U.S. Bank could do their part and help me grow my dream. It gives me hope for the next generation that lending can be available for everyone.”

With TechKnow 123 growing, Kincaid said he has created a nonprofit to provide children in his community with somewhere to receive workforce development assistance in a safe space with no labels attached.

“I came from nothing,” he said. “I had a dream and a vision, but I had every reason to not keep going, so that’s where my nonprofit came from, to give back to my community and show that you don’t have to play sports to get out of your neighborhood.”

ST. PAUL, Minn., June 18, 2024 /3BL/ – Inogen Alliance proudly announces the launch of a global podcast, Rethinking EHS: Global Goals, Local Delivery. On this podcast, we’ll traverse the globe to unearth the stories of EHS and sustainability communities making an impact on the ground. We’ll share compelling stories, expert insights, and diverse perspectives to highlight tangible solutions and share innovative strategies to drive change. The first episode releases 25 June, with new episodes coming very two weeks.

The idea for a global podcast stemmed from seeking a global channel to easily share more local insights from all corners of the world. We wanted to give back to our EHS community and have a platform to share expertise, learnings, challenges and discussions on the most urgent and trending topics. It is only through collaboration and learning that we will progress some of the most urgent global goals together.

Our Associates regularly meet through our 10 global working groups on topics such as water, sustainability, energy transition, remediation, mergers & acquisitions, health & safety and more. Through our bi-annual in-person meetings we also hear from many of our experts through the Alliance who share their feedback, insights, and topical updates from around the globe. We want to share more of this expertise and stories with a broader, external audience.

“I truly believe that amazing outcomes can be achieved by global cooperation. When you think about the incredibly complex and important topic of climate change, it is global cooperation that enables us to have an impact. I see the Alliance as an inspiring example of what success can look like when you work together as teams across countries, cultures and languages,” Angelique Dickson, President of Inogen Alliance.

Whether you’re an EHS practitioner, a sustainability specialist, or a leader striving to improve your organization, subscribe and listen to this new series to gain insights and learn from our local experts on the ground.

Subscribe now on Apple, Spotify or view more details and episodes on our page here.

Upcoming episode topics include:

A global view of the most pressing topics and importance of local understandingFlooding recent stories from Brazil, tools, response and adaption expertise from Germany and New ZealandPFAS chemicals and varying responses globallyOccupational health and how companies are evolving with Total Worker Health, mental health and differing local approaches with the USA, Switzerland and New Zealand.And more to come on Energy Transition, CSRD, Financial Markets, Biodiversity, COP29, Water Stewardship, EHS Audits globally and Social and Environmental Justice.

Our professional host is Phil Dillard, an entrepreneur, educator, business strategist, Lean Startup expert, and subject matter expert and practitioner of Waste-to-Value, Circular Economy and Regenerative Economy solutions. As a former naval officer, corporate strategist, and manufacturing executive, Phil managed organizational growth, business strategy, fundraising, and operations. Phil is the Founder & CEO of Thruline Networks.

Upcoming speakers in episodes include Angelique Dickson, President of Inogen Alliance; Agenor Freitas, Antea Brasil; Jon Rix, Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand; Andreas Deckelmann, HPC Germany; Alizabeth Aramowicz-Smith, Antea Group USA; Sofiane Kessouar, Baden Consulting Switzerland; Bruno Zapata, Tonkin + Taylor New Zealand; Lida Tan, Anew Global Consulting China; Robert Szücs-Winkler, denxpert Hungary, Hilton Lucio, Antea Brasil and more to come.

The global podcast is made possible by sponsoring Associates: Anew Global Consulting, Antea Group USA, Antea Brasil, Ayrton Group, Baden Consulting, denxpert, EnviroSolutions & Consulting, HPC AG, Sustainera, and Tonkin + Taylor. Our podcast production company is Caspian Studios.

Inogen Alliance is a global network made up of dozens of independent local businesses and over 6,000 consultants around the world who can help make your project a success. Our Associates collaborate closely to serve multinational corporations, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations, and we share knowledge and industry experience to provide the highest quality service to our clients. If you want to learn more about how you can work with Inogen Alliance, you can explore our Associates or Contact Us. Watch for more News & Blog updates here and follow us on LinkedIn.

Originally published in Covia’s 2023 ESG Report

Covia’s unwavering commitment to corporate responsibility, demonstrated through 19 consecutive years of reporting, is truly inspiring and I am proud to add my name to this legacy. Furthermore, it is my privilege to reaffirm Covia’s commitment to support the United Nations Global Compact and its 10 principles covering human rights, labor, environment, and anti-corruption.

As I reviewed our 2023 achievements, our strong safety performance and decline in injury rate are commendable. At Covia, safety is and must always be our north star. Additionally, significant investments were made in energy efficiency projects while also enhancing our land management, reclamation, and biodiversity programs to further our environmental goals.

Community support remains a clear focus, demonstrated through donations by The Covia Foundation and active participation of our Team Members in community projects and organizations.

Our team also recognizes that evolving technology and practices require ongoing enhancements to our corporate responsibility agenda. In 2023, we expanded our focus on priorities such as Responsible Operations, and Cybersecurity and Data Privacy.

This report provides a look inside our organization and the importance we place on our people, the environment, and our communities. As you read it, you will find numerous programs, highlights, and photos (virtually all of which were taken by our Team Members) that demonstrate our collective efforts and celebrated successes. Some notable highlights include:

Reduced year-over-year Scope 1 & 2 GHG Emissions Intensity by 7.6%Expanded our Environmental Management System (EMS) to cover five more sites, bringing the total to nineImproved safety, demonstrated by a 21% decrease in our all-incidence rate compared to the prior year and averaged 46 hours of annual safety training per Team MemberContributed more than $1 million to local communities through The Covia FoundationCompleted our second year as a signatory to the UN Global Compact

We are proud of the steady progress we made on all our Goals That Inspire in 2023, and we are on track to achieve our goals by the 2030 target date. We hope you enjoy discovering WHAT INSPIRES US and learning more about our goals, related metrics, and the progress we’re making.

Bruno Biasiotta 
President and Chief Executive Officer

Ten years ago, Cisco Networking Academy launched the Women Rock-IT initiative in the APJC region to help address the gender imbalance in the tech industry.

The program was designed to show young women that there is a future for them in tech, with activities including Learn-A-Thons, volunteer events, and live virtual broadcasts featuring prominent women in IT who could serve as inspiring role-models for Women Rock-IT participants. During this time, Women Rock-IT has hosted 82 broadcast events with 141 speakers, seen by over 2 million viewers, resulting in 868,481 course registrations.

Current LinkedIn data suggests women compromise just 29.2% of all Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) workers. Because this underrepresentation of women in the STEM workforce today reinforces an underrepresentation in the future, it is vital we address this issue.

At Cisco our corporate purpose is to power an inclusive future for all, and addressing a gender imbalance in STEM is an integral part of that.

Attracting women to tech

I’m thrilled to report that efforts like Women Rock-IT are paying off. Over the past ten years, we’ve increased the presence of women and girls in Cisco Networking Academy courses from 20 percent to 27 percent, globally. Clearly, we have further to go, but a 35 percent increase in participation of women in the program is a significant achievement that speaks volumes about our collective dedication.

Big issues

Every year since the inception of Women Rock-IT in 2013, women at the cutting edge of technological innovation speak about their experience in the field. Participants gain valuable insights about how women can thrive in what is still too frequently seen as a male domain.

From its first regional APJC speaker Monica Morrow who, at the time, was the region’s Chief Technical Officer and spoke about having a seat at the table, to last year’s inspiring global panel broadcasting on successfully applying technology to climate tech challenges, Women Rock-IT participants get to hear from those who have forged meaningful careers in tech, addressing pressing issues of the day.

Girls in ICT Day: a marquee Women Rock-IT event

The annual marquee event of Women Rock-IT aligns with International Girls in ICT Day. This year, the Women Rock-IT program addressed Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has the potential to change everything, along with its inherent ethical challenges.

AI is set to change the world, and tomorrow’s IT workforce needs to be AI-literate. In our Q2 FY24 Cisco Networking Academy Student Outcome Survey of 1,400 students, 63 percent of Cisco Networking Academy students tell us they are using AI today and 17 percent already have advanced skills in this area.

We are proud our students are at the leading edge of technology learning. In fact, 88 percent of our students believe Cisco Networking Academy is at the forefront of this rapidly evolving tech world.

Our recent Cisco Networking Academy student survey reveals that 53 percent of males are already harnessing AI at work, compared to just 44 percent of females, but that more women than men are eager for AI education.

Girls in ICT Activities

This year’s Girls in ICT Day on April 25 impacted 36,025 students reached via the live broadcast, Global Learn-A-Thon, and Cisco employee volunteer events, with 1.23 million reach on social media channels.

Congratulations to the Women Rock-IT team and Cisco volunteers for orchestrating a truly impactful Girls in ICT Day event. It was an inspiring showcase that highlighted our commitment to fostering diversity in the tech industry.

Inspiring speakers

For our live broadcast, leading women in AI shared their experience in the field.

Dr. Tanya Berger-Wolf discussed her work as a computational ecologist working at the unique intersection of computer science, wildlife biology, and social sciences. Tanya is Director of the Translational Data Analytics Institute and Professor of Computer Science Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, as well as Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the Ohio State University.

Dr. Elizabeth Bondi-Kelly, Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan explored the impact of AI on society. She discussed ethical considerations of AI and advocates for responsible AI development to mitigate risks and ensure beneficial outcomes for all.

Global Learn-A-Thon

This year, the Global Learn-A-Thon saw students team-up to take introductory courses in Data Science or Cybersecurity, with a digital badge awarded to those achieving 70 percent or more on their exam and a Cisco Learn-A-Thon experience digital badge.

“I am really inspired by Women Rock-IT,” says attendee Thendeka Zesuliwe Zikode from rural Bergville, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. “My wish is to study more and get full support in technology and AI, so that I can help other girls around my ’hood.”

Cisco events

Over 230 Cisco volunteers organized events in Cisco offices and schools worldwide this year. Attendees were able to meet women working for Cisco and talk to them about their experience in tech.

Get involved

Finally, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the Cisco employees, Academy partners and instructors, and our speakers for getting behind Girls in ICT. The impact this makes wouldn’t be possible without you.

Learn how you can get involved in 2025

Women Rock-IT

View original content here.

Innovative U.S. Soybean Farming and Agriculture Technology

Did you know that since 1980, U.S. soybean farmers have improved land use efficiency by 48%? Their commitment to food security and environmental sustainability ensures that we have healthy food choices now and for future generations. They provide us with protein-rich soy while minimizing water waste, environmental degradation, and soil erosion.

To do so, they use cutting-edge agricultural technology that lets them grow nutrient-dense crops while also protecting our environment’s health. In fact, in 2015 alone, U.S. soybean farmers used biotechnology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 58.8 billion pounds. Learn how U.S. soybean farmers are leveraging advanced agricultural technology and systems into their farming practices to adapt to our evolving environmental and food needs.

Emerging Farming Technologies and Systems

Cover Cropping

U.S. Soybean farmers use a technique called cover cropping to improve their soil and its surrounding ecosystem. In a cover crop system, farmers plant a mixture of beneficial seeds with the purpose of renewing the soil after the main crop is harvested. The seed mix includes species that protect the soil, prevent runoff, and slow water movement across the field.

Smart Irrigation and Center-Pivot Systems

Healthy soil and effective water conservation would not be possible if U.S. soybean farmers didn’t use smart irrigation and center pivot systems. These systems help deliver the precise amount of water needed to grow healthy, nutrient dense soy, while using fewer resources. Soil moisture sensors, weather sensors and GPS analyze moisture levels and weather patterns, so U.S. farmers can cultivate soy as efficiently as possible. These systems can be monitored remotely with smartphones, tablets and computers, so farmers can properly nourish soybeans – promoting healthy soil and environmental sustainability, from their fields to our kitchen tables.

Conservation Tillage

U.S. soybean farmers are achieving more with less by planting fields using minimal or no tillage techniques. By adopting conservation tillage, soybean farmers reduce soil disturbance, which helps enhance nutrient retention and biodiversity. This method also reduces soil erosion and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Over 74% of soybean acres are cultivated using conservation tillage, demonstrating how readily U.S. soybean farmers have embraced this eco-friendly farming practice.

What does this mean for you? Well, quite simply: when you choose U.S. grown soy-based foods, you can be confident that U.S. soybean farmers are committed to sustainable farming practices that ensure the long-term health of our planet.

Buffer Strips, Windbreaks, and Agroforestry

Buffer strips and windbreaks are vital parts of sustainable farming. They act like natural fences, keeping soil and water safe. These vegetative buffers are strategically placed near water and around fields to stop soil and nutrients from washing away when it rains, also referred to as run off. By doing this, they reduce soil erosion and nutrient loss. When used with other management water systems, these “natural fences” keep water clean and help soybean farms last a long time.

Farmers also use agroforestry to serve a similar function. By planting trees alongside crops, they improve the soil, increase biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture revolutionizes soybean farming with technology. Using GPS and sensors, farmers can monitor their fields closely. They can plan when to plant and harvest while using less resources, helping to sustain our environment’s health.

Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Herbicides are important for high crop yields, as they remove pesky weeds competing with soybeans for sunlight and other resources. To provide enough crops to feed communities across the country, U.S. soybean farmers use emerging biotechnology and plant breeding technology to help improve weed control without harming the soil.

For example, biotech soybean crops are herbicide resistant and come packed with nutritional benefits. By planting herbicide-tolerant soybeans, farmers can control weeds without ploughing deep into the soil to bury them, which can erode topsoil.

U.S. Soybean Farmers’ Dedication to Sustainability

Technological innovations and sustainable practices embraced by U.S. soybean farmers showcase their dedication to sustainable and environmentally conscious farming.

That’s why U.S. Soy has teamed up with reputable partners like Texas Tech University and the Southern Soybean Research Program to reduce the impact drought has on soybean crops, which could potentially improve crop yields by 10-15%. Through advanced farming technologies in water management, nutrient conservation, soil management, precision agriculture, plant breeding, and biodiversity, these farmers are not just producing food—they are ensuring the well-being of our planet for current and future generations.

You can rest assured that when you choose U.S.-grown soy products, you’re supporting a system that prioritizes food security, environmental health, and sustainable development.

To understand how U.S. Soy fosters partnerships and innovation in farming technologies for environmental sustainability, learn more from U.S Soy’s Sustainability report.

Authored by Benjamin Martin

While sustainability is now mainstream at many companies, corporate sustainability teams still largely operate separately from core business functions. Because of this, sustainability teams often face challenges persuading other decision makers to support their efforts. Sustainability initiatives are often encumbered by ill-defined governance and the constant need to defend the business case for sustainability. But as sustainability regulations create concrete risks for companies, sustainability teams require more authority and cooperation to meet these stringent requirements and avoid the fines and reputational damages for not complying. The need for investor-grade sustainability disclosures demands the attention of the accounting, legal, internal audit and technology organizations to be successful. At this critical inflection point for sustainability reporting, it is high time that sustainability teams have a seat at the table and integrate processes with the larger corporate reporting process. 

At Baker Tilly, we partner with clients of all sizes, industries and maturity to quickly integrate sustainability with relevant corporate functions ahead of key regulatory milestones. This integration is nuanced, requiring advisors with interdisciplinary backgrounds to support systems integration, map workflows that avoid duplication and communicate effectively across multiple team vernaculars. As companies have limited time to complete these integrations, here are a few considerations to support sustainability teams with this crucial step.

Integration of sustainability with compliance 

One of the greatest challenges facing companies is a fundamental question – who is responsible for determining the applicability of sustainability-related rules and regulations for the organization? Compliance teams are equipped to flag relevant rules but may lack context to determine if and how the company needs to change sustainability reporting. Sustainability teams can be great partners with compliance to address this landmark shift in reporting.

1. Champion policy monitoring and scoping. Sustainability regulations are in constant flux, with new developments that extend timelines and shift requirements. Compliance teams have a large scope of responsibility, so tasking the sustainability function to monitor sustainability-related regulatory changes can be hugely helpful. Keeping the organization abreast of rule developments and the timing of workflows is naturally suited to the sustainability team and can help put other teams at ease about the program management of meeting these highly intersectional rules. Regularly reporting to the board and senior leadership teams on regulatory developments to the board and the team’s approach for meeting these rules is a great way to increase the team’s integration and responsibilities.

2. Prepare for any outcome. While some regulatory processes for sustainability reporting are still being finalized, many companies are focusing on the most stringent rules to best prepare their organizations for long-term reporting readiness. Companies subject to relevant European Union (EU) directives (such as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive known as CSRD) are charging ahead with the preparations for these requirements, recognizing that other rules nest within the scope of these requirements. Domestically, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) along with the California Climate Accountability package and other state sustainability regulations have unique reporting requirements as well. This drives the needs for companies to appropriately resource and test their reporting systems to meet a web of requirements. Smaller companies that may only be subject to local jurisdictions can also take this approach, as the frameworks that underpin draft rules provide clear guidance. Organizations can leverage frameworks like TCFD and the GHG Protocol, which provide all the tools needed for companies to meet reporting obligations.

3. Engage with the process. Many organizations express frustration with the uncertainty surrounding rule guidance that makes it hard for companies to act with confidence. With general consensus that regulation of sustainability disclosures will continue to increase across jurisdictions, sustainability teams can work with their government affairs colleagues to actively participate in the regulatory process to reduce confusion and inefficiencies. By leveraging trade organizations and other means of policy engagement, organizations can help shape guidance that is appropriate, material and feasible for their operations while working to create policy that provides more certainty long-term. This approach is particularly sought out for industries that have significant supplier dependencies and where aligning reporting requirements across the value chain is a top priority.

Integration of sustainability with accounting and internal audit 

Sustainability teams are the stewards of large datasets of non-financial data. But as reporting will need to be included in financial filings and undergo external review, the accounting function is the natural partner to enhance sustainability reporting and integrate data streams into the company’s central accounting architecture. Here are some ways the sustainability team can help facilitate this critical integration:

4. Take stock of what resources and procedures already exist. If acting independently, accounting teams tasked with sustainability reporting might assume that there is no work being done to date. Rapid requests for new systems and advisory support can be common and this often duplicates efforts already well-underway by the sustainability functions. Sustainability teams can help educate their accounting colleagues by providing a current state of sustainability reporting systems and procedures. This includes an end-to-end look at the process for greenhouse gas emissions calculations, materiality assessments, HR and safety data and other systems that feed sustainability reports. This will help onboard the accounting function to this type of non-financial data and provide insights for how to incorporate this information into SEC filings and other relevant disclosures.

5. Seek out internal audit as your best collaborator. Many sustainability professionals are just starting to learn about the types of documentation and controls they’ll need to perform assurance. Some teams are endeavoring to learn about this through trial and error, but internal audit will be able to provide much clearer insight into this maturity. These teams can quickly recommend ways to improve reporting integrity throughout the sustainability reporting process. In addition, internal audit can reduce redundancies by integrating sustainability workstreams into areas overseen by internal audit. This includes assessing materiality of sustainability topics through an enterprise risk process and leveraging financial reporting systems to better track data flows. By tapping into the intellectual capital of an internal audit function, sustainability teams can quickly and more cost effectively meet their reporting requirements.

6. Identify and engage your external audit partner for sustainability data. Sustainability teams may have some familiarity with third party assurance, but likely not to the extent needed to meet new regulations. Before the sustainability and accounting teams create any new systems or procedures, it is likely a good idea to meet with an external auditor to understand their expectations when conducting limited assurance over sustainability disclosures. Understanding the documentation needed will help inform where there are gaps and what needs to be enhanced. In addition, to your current financial statement auditor, consider engaging another CPA firm to help with reporting readiness. By leveraging other CPA firms to improve reporting maturity, organizations can leverage a more cost-effective plan to meet limited and ultimately reasonable assurance of sustainability disclosures while maintaining considerations for independence.

Integration of sustainability with information technology 

New regulations require significant volumes of data to be collected, stored, transformed and reported. An analog system of record will create inefficiencies across the entire process and will likely risk non-conformance with many sustainability rules. Sustainability teams can partner with their IT organization to ensure they have the right systems and tools in place to ensure a successful reporting transformation.

7. Prioritize system interoperability. When seeking out systems to store, track and analyze ESG data, no one provider yet has a true end-to-end solution. Organizations need to evaluate multiple tools and determine what will work best for their own use cases. First, assess what systems are already in place and be clear on needs with the IT team before beginning a sourcing process for new technology and/or software. This includes walking the internal IT team through a typical data collection process so they can understand the request clearly. Because the market is still quite fragmented, interoperability is a key consideration and should be a priority for any team needing to aggregate data from several sources. In addition, consider the level of support the sustainability team will receive from the technology or software provider as almost all tools will have significant customization, implementation, user requests and other support needs that may not be clear upon initiation. Organizations typically start with a thematic-based solution – say climate reporting – to get a handle on data collection for a singular, high-priority topic. The right tool can help ensure data collection is coordinated and accurate before leveraging other reporting solutions or other use cases.

8. Focus on data governance. Before jumping headfirst into a procurement process for ESG and sustainability solutions, we recommend that organizations start with a mapping exercise to understand the flow of data and who should be included in each step of the process. Ultimately, users are the points of failure within a data collection process and need to be brought in on the workflow and the tool before any automation can occur. Starting with a worksheet-based process is how all teams begin, and it is important to get the governance of data right before adding complexity to the process through digital solutions. This includes having detailed documentation for data sources, owners and approvers so that automation can expedite an already established process.

In summary, there are many ways sustainability teams can add value in a regulatory context. With a renewed mandate to keep the organization compliant with sustainability rules, there are many partnerships in the organization that will improve coordination and drive a successful reporting process.

Should you or your team need any support with these integrations, Baker Tilly’s ESG and sustainability services support clients of all sizes with sustainability reporting readiness, assurance, digital transformation and strategy services that can help your organization quickly prepare for enhanced reporting requirements.

Ready to start your ESG journey? Connect with a Baker Tilly specialist.

On June 6, Coach celebrated “Dream Day,” the signature conference of the Coach Foundation’s Dream It Real initiative, brought to life in partnership with Coachtopia, the house’s sub-brand focused on circular craft and collaborative creativity. The collaboration amplifies the brand’s holistic approach to providing pivotal resources for young people, with the Coach Foundation conducting this support through high-impact scholarships for historically underrepresented young people, and Coachtopia providing support to the climate leaders of tomorrow through direct funding, creative collaborations and learning resources, powered by the Coachtopia Catalyst Fund (through which the brand is donating 1% of its revenue). Inspired by Coach’s vision of authentic self-expression and its commitment to reducing its impact on the planet, Dream Day 2024 celebrated the next generation’s determination to drive enduring change by crafting a more sustainable future for the fashion industry and beyond.

Dream Day’s 2024 theme was “Dreaming Tomorrow,” translating to a day of talks, workshops and connection, led by Gen Z activists, changemakers and creatives, drawing inspiration from the Coachtopia Beta Community model, which reimagines the paradigm between brand and consumer by harnessing the creativity of a global community of Gen Z individuals addressing the climate crisis. Attendees explored how they can continue to dream big while breaking down barriers in their communities, build the courage to create a better future for themselves and the planet, and find confidence in the workplace while maintaining their values. The majority of the 200 attendees were Coach Foundation Dream It Real Scholars who are receiving four-year scholarships and are matched with a Coach employee mentor throughout their college journey. These students come from the Foundation’s long-term nonprofit partners including The Opportunity Network, Bottom Line, Point Foundation and The Hetrick-Martin Institute, as well as the newest scholarship program partner, the Millennium Campus Network (MCN). In addition, the Coachtopia Beta Community including its climate activists, design collaborators and content creators as well as Coachtopia Catalyst Fund grant recipients were also in attendance and led discussions as panelists throughout the program.

“A founding principle of Coachtopia was our determination to co-create a better future with our Gen Z community,” says Joon Silverstein, SVP, Global Marketing and Sustainability at Coach, and Head of Coachtopia. “Our work to support, nurture and collaborate with the climate leaders of tomorrow has a natural synergy with Dream It Real’s mission to create opportunities for young people to thrive, while staying true to the values that matter most to them.”

The day kicked off with the announcement of the Coach Foundation’s newest scholarship program: The Dream It Real x Coachtopia Scholars Program, created in collaboration with MCN. Created to support undergraduate leaders from underrepresented communities who are dedicated to sustainability—including advancing circularity in the fashion industry—the pilot will provide 10 to 15 Coachtopia Scholars selected from thousands of applicants worldwide with holistic support to help them reach their full potential.

Following the announcement was an exclusive teaser screening of “Asali: Power of The Pollinators,” an animated short film about protecting our environment, directed by environmental activist and Coachtopia Catalyst Fund recipient Maya Penn, co-produced by Viola Davis and Julius Tenon through their company JuVee Productions starring Whoopi Goldberg and Monique Coleman, among others. After the teaser screening, Penn led a panel discussion with the cast of the film. The day continued with three interactive mentorship panels amplifying a new generation of leaders including Coachtopia Catalyst Fund recipients, Coachtopia Beta Community design and content collaborators and Dream It Real Scholars. The panelists explored topics integral to Gen Z such as driving change, identifying your values, launching your own venture and confidently building a digital voice and community. Supporting the brand’s belief that dreaming should be accessible to all, the Dream Day 2024 content and educational resources will be available for all to access on Coachtopia’s “World of Coachtopia” blog pages.

https://www.coachtopia.com/circularity

“Through the Coach Foundation, we’ve been able to expand our impact to support thousands of students globally,” said Coach CEO and Brand President, Todd Kahn. “This year’s Dream Day is special because we get to host our Dream It Real Scholars and the Coachtopia Beta Community, both who embody our purpose, The Courage to Be Real, in all they do. I am consistently in awe of students and young professionals who have the courage to make their dreams a reality and look forward to seeing the positive impact they will make on our industry.”

“Dream Day to us is about connecting like-minded, ambitious young people to be inspired and build community, regardless of where they come from,” says Julia Furnari, Executive Director of The Coach Foundation. “The students in our scholarship programs are extraordinary and they overcome barriers daily. Today is about giving them the tools to foster even greater impact for their future and their communities.”

Looking forward, the Coach Foundation aims to continue to evolve its mission of helping young people reach their highest potential—driven by the belief that all young people should have equitable access to pursue their dreams. Since reaching its original goal of funding 5,000 scholarships by 2025, the Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to double the impact by funding 10,000 scholarships by 2030.

For more information about Dream Day and The Coach Foundation, please visit here.